On the brink of war
Updated on 01 February 2007
Watch the report from March 1982 when the UK taskforce was sent to defend the Falkland Islands.
The arrival of the Argentines on the Falkland Islands was not reported in Britain until two days later when the Foreign Office released a statement.
Government sources said it was most likely sponsored by a commercial company and not the Argentine Government.
They arrived at Leith Harbour, on South Georgia, about 1,400 miles east of the Falklands archipelago off the Argentine coast.
But within days the situation escalated and on 2 April Argentine forces invaded the islands as the military junta decided to use force instead of diplomacy to regain the territories.
Did you see it happen?
Do you have a story to tell from the Falklands conflict? Perhaps you or a close relative were in the forces, or maybe you were at the Portsmouth quayside as the ships set sail for the south Atlantic. Do you have pictures from the time?
Whatever your memories we want to hear from you. Email news@channel4.com, leave a 'Reader comment' at the bottom of this article, or use our postal address.
Many did not expect Britain to retaliate but on 5 April a British task force set sail and 655 Argentines died along with 255 British servicemen in the ensuing war.
Britain re-established its presence in the Falkland Islands after a two-hour assault by Royal Marines on the remote island of South Georgia.
Watch the report
Watch the ITN report on the arrival of the UK taskforce by clicking on the link at the top of this article.
